Exam
LATEST MUSCULOSKELETAL
TRAUMA SURGERIES AND
DISORDERS, CONNECTIVE TISSUE,
AND ARTHRITIS 2025
Which statement by a patient who has had an above-the-knee amputation indicates the nurse's
discharge teaching has been effective?
a. "I should elevate my residual limb on a pillow 2 or 3 times a day."
b. "I should lie flat on my abdomen for 30 minutes 3 or 4 times a day."
c. "I should change the limb sock when it becomes soiled or each week."
d. "I should use lotion on the stump to prevent skin drying and cracking." - ANSWER-B
, The patient lies in the prone position several times daily to prevent flexion contractures of the hip. The
limb sock should be changed daily. Lotion should not be used on the stump. The residual limb should not
be elevated because this would encourage hip flexion contracture.
A patient is to be discharged from the hospital 4 days after insertion of a femoral head prosthesis using a
posterior approach. Which patient statement to the nurse indicates that additional teaching is needed?
a. "I should not cross my legs while sitting."
b. "I will use a toilet elevator on the toilet seat."
c. "I will have someone else put on my shoes and socks."
d. "I can sleep in any position that is comfortable for me." - ANSWER-D
The patient needs to sleep in a position that prevents excessive internal rotation or flexion of the hip.
The other patient statements indicate the patient has understood the teaching.
Which action should the nurse include in the plan of care for a patient who had a cemented right total
knee arthroplasty?
a. Avoid extension of the right knee beyond 120 degrees.
b. Use a compression bandage to keep the right knee flexed.
c. Teach about the need to avoid weight bearing for 4 weeks.
d. Start progressive knee exercises to obtain 90-degree flexion. - ANSWER-D
After knee arthroplasty, active or passive flexion exercises are used to obtain a 90-degree flexion of the
knee. The goal for extension of the knee will be 180 degrees. A compression bandage is used to hold the
knee in an extended position after surgery. Protected weight bearing is typically not ordered after this
procedure.
A high school teacher with ulnar drift caused by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is scheduled for arthroplasty
of several joints in the left hand. Which patient statement to the nurse indicates a realistic expectation
for the surgery?
a. "This procedure will correct the deformities in my fingers."
b. "I will not have to do as many hand exercises after the surgery."
c. "I will be able to use my fingers with more flexibility to grasp things."
d. "My fingers will appear more normal in size and shape after this surgery." - ANSWER-C
The goal of hand surgery in RA is to restore function, not to correct for cosmetic deformity or treat the
underlying process. Hand exercises will be prescribed after the surgery.
LATEST MUSCULOSKELETAL
TRAUMA SURGERIES AND
DISORDERS, CONNECTIVE TISSUE,
AND ARTHRITIS 2025
Which statement by a patient who has had an above-the-knee amputation indicates the nurse's
discharge teaching has been effective?
a. "I should elevate my residual limb on a pillow 2 or 3 times a day."
b. "I should lie flat on my abdomen for 30 minutes 3 or 4 times a day."
c. "I should change the limb sock when it becomes soiled or each week."
d. "I should use lotion on the stump to prevent skin drying and cracking." - ANSWER-B
, The patient lies in the prone position several times daily to prevent flexion contractures of the hip. The
limb sock should be changed daily. Lotion should not be used on the stump. The residual limb should not
be elevated because this would encourage hip flexion contracture.
A patient is to be discharged from the hospital 4 days after insertion of a femoral head prosthesis using a
posterior approach. Which patient statement to the nurse indicates that additional teaching is needed?
a. "I should not cross my legs while sitting."
b. "I will use a toilet elevator on the toilet seat."
c. "I will have someone else put on my shoes and socks."
d. "I can sleep in any position that is comfortable for me." - ANSWER-D
The patient needs to sleep in a position that prevents excessive internal rotation or flexion of the hip.
The other patient statements indicate the patient has understood the teaching.
Which action should the nurse include in the plan of care for a patient who had a cemented right total
knee arthroplasty?
a. Avoid extension of the right knee beyond 120 degrees.
b. Use a compression bandage to keep the right knee flexed.
c. Teach about the need to avoid weight bearing for 4 weeks.
d. Start progressive knee exercises to obtain 90-degree flexion. - ANSWER-D
After knee arthroplasty, active or passive flexion exercises are used to obtain a 90-degree flexion of the
knee. The goal for extension of the knee will be 180 degrees. A compression bandage is used to hold the
knee in an extended position after surgery. Protected weight bearing is typically not ordered after this
procedure.
A high school teacher with ulnar drift caused by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is scheduled for arthroplasty
of several joints in the left hand. Which patient statement to the nurse indicates a realistic expectation
for the surgery?
a. "This procedure will correct the deformities in my fingers."
b. "I will not have to do as many hand exercises after the surgery."
c. "I will be able to use my fingers with more flexibility to grasp things."
d. "My fingers will appear more normal in size and shape after this surgery." - ANSWER-C
The goal of hand surgery in RA is to restore function, not to correct for cosmetic deformity or treat the
underlying process. Hand exercises will be prescribed after the surgery.
